Join Sandra and Max at their new center,
where they offer full Residential Recovery programs for all people with autism. Come to the
Active Learning Center residential center,
and stay with us,
while we support you and your child through autism recovery.
Email
Sojmed@yahoo.comfor details.

The origins of our diet-related approach to Autism

by Sandra and Max Desorgher

In 1988, Sandra adopted Sara, a 5 year old autistic girl. Using a unique blend of dietary, behavioral and educational stretegies,
Sara made great strides. In 1994, while investigating her own food sensitivities, Sandra began to understand the relationship between carotenes and the immune
system, and how a developing foetus can make a choice to treat carotenes as a pathogen. She and Sara both embarked on a journey of discovery,
and the 'lutein-free diet' was born. Since 1995, she travelled far and wide to share her experience of healing and recovery. Thousands of families
professionals and experts in the field of autism have attended her lectures, and the stories of recovery continue.
Sandra has continued her research into pigment metabolism,
immunomodulation, epigenetics and human evolution. Many of her writings can be found on this website.

The Desorgher Method
Beginning in 1980 Sandra trained with 'Bringing It All Back Home' Professional Parenting where a unique blend of behavioral
training using behavioral analysis based on unconditional love was developed by Dr. Bob Jones. This type of 'ABA' uses Positive
Behavior Supports to re-habilitate children who had experienced stress and trauma in early childhood. Based on this program,
Max and Sandra developed 'The Desorgher Method', a holistic approach to bringing about emotional, spiritual, mental and physical
well-being in people suffering under the condition of autism.

True Potentials Seminars - The Magic of the Family
A Unique Teaching Seminar on discovering the True Potential of those with Autism and Special Needs through Nutrition,
Education and Behavioral Intervention. The Seminar has been life changing for many hundreds of people. These are usually very relaxed and enjoyable
as we meet parents with their children and share our unique understanding of the biological basis of autism. We are then
available to give one-on-one advice and consultations to parents with their children.

Combined recovery program
We have worked with many families directly to transform their lives through a combined and integrated approach.

Therapeutic Community
We have seen how healing can happen in a controlled environment, away from the stresses of every day. We would like hear from you if you wish to help us
to build a therapeutic community where a deep emotional, psychological and physical healing
can take place safely in a pure and harmonious environment.

The Desorgher Method is a
holistic approach to bringing about emotional, spiritual, mental and
physical well-being in people suffering under the condition of autism.
It grew out of the Professional Parenting model known as ‘the Magic of
the Family’, and has been most successfully used for those exhibiting
the stresses and conflicts of adapting to a world where their condition
is poorly understood and their survival has depended on developing
coping strategies, which have come to be labelled as ‘problem
behaviors’. It can be adapted for uses in many settings and for a wide
range of problems and age groups, wherever struggle and survival
strategies are standing in the way of relationship, growth, fulfilment,
health and happiness.

The outcome of ten years of research into autism
culminating in a totally new model of cause, treatment and recovery. It
tells how Sandra Johnson (now Desorgher), a highly trained 'Professional
Parent', Nutritionist and Researcher from North Carolina, discovered the
key to unlocking this mysterious condition by investigating the effects
of plant pigments on the immune system. Her success with bringing
hundreds of autistic children to recovery by means of a 'lutein-free
diet' developed in accordance with sound nutritional principles has
brought her world recognition.'

The book begins with a brief history of Sara, an
autistic mentally retarded child, who lands in an emergency care home at
the tender age of five after medical evaluations determine her to be
also a sexually abused child. We then meet Sandra (author), a married
woman trained as a 'Professional Parent' who was willing to take this
wild child into her home. The story continues through Sara's struggles
and the family's challenges of raising and caring for Sara - the
particular challenges of autism coupled with attachment disorder and
mental retardation, sometimes humorous but always touching the heart.
The early chapters include details of Sara's personal life - the
evaluations, traumas and challenges.

The story develops as Sara is transformed to a
child who, at the age of 11 and within weeks of starting a special diet
program, no longer shows the signs of autism or mental retardation. Sara
emerges as a 'social butterfly', as Sandra's discoveries lead to a new
and controversial therapy and a new understanding of autism. Sara's
awakening leads to travels among the autism 'experts' and speaking
engagements at conferences in the US. Other autistic children begin this
same approach and soon there are autistic people from around the globe
who are waking up. Sara's story is put to paper and needs professional
editing. Max, a professional translator who has been interested in
autism and alternative healing for many years, comes to America and
teams up with Sandra, and together with Sandra and Sara they enter into
the world of autism traveling and working in India, the Middle East, the
UK and finally Africa. "By denying what is known about autism and not
taking measures to unite the treatment approaches which are available
now, we are keeping individuals with autism isolated from an environment
of potential recovery." "The first step towards recovery, say the
Desorghers, is to seek biomedical intervention by way of nourishing the
body with the right nutrients. It is only when the body begins to heal
that the mind starts to work. Above all, the critical element in the
long, rocky road to recovery is a touch of love."

'What if we could bring all of this together,
and show that the biological findings – an altered immune system, serotonin
deregulation, digestive problems, visual and hearing differences, differently
wired brains, an immature development of the emotional-language center of
the brain, differences in nutrient needs – lie behind the behaviors, social
difficulties and different learning styles of the autists, and that underlying the
biological differences is a single cause, identified and treatable? We have been
saying since 1994 that the underlying cause is an immune response to lutein
and that the primary treatment is a lutein-free diet.
. . . Autism - The Way Forward looks at the crisis facing society, policy makers,
educationalists and social planners brought about by an enormous surge in
autism diagnosis in the last ten years. It puts forward positive solutions
including nutritional, behavioral, environmental and social policy solutions
and includes detailed information on Sara's Diet and the Desorgher Method.'

World Community Autism ProgramWCAP are based in North-West London, UK. Our
activities include: Counselling, support groups, networking, advocacy,
assessment, referral, public speaking, conferences and training.

Assessment
and referralWCAP is based in London, UK.
WCAP can provide assessments, evaluations and referrals for Autism, Asperger
syndrome and related conditions.

Individualized
nutritional programsThe unique nutritional needs of the individual
with an Autism Spectrum Disorder can only be assessed when all relevant
information is taken into account.Online
storeBooks and papers available as downloadable PDF and
ms-word files

WCAP is at the
forefront of the movement that sees autism as a medical condition
with environmental causal factors,
the most damaging of which is vaccination.

WCAP seeks to encourage a holistic view
that encompasses environmental, social, political,
nutritional and educational aspects to improving the lives of autists, their
families, schools and communities.
WCAP seeks partners to
realise our plans which include
developing therapeutic communities and schools specifically for
children with Asperger's Syndrome and Autism
who are 'falling through the cracks'.

WCAP
Supports

CryShame is a campaigning group co-founded by a number of UK
parents who are concerned about the catastrophic rise in autism spectrum
disorders and in the potential link with environmental toxins– particularly
MMR and thimerosol (mercury) containing vaccines. In addition to the
parents who are determined to bring their children’s plight to the
forefront of public attention, CryShame is supported by members of the
international autism community, and will seek input from scientists,
clinicians and writers.

"I Demand The Right
To Clear My Name"

by Dr. Andrew Wakefield

"What upsets me enormously is the
lack of care for the children affected by autism and bowel disorders in the
UK. Crucially, there should be a centre where children can get appropriate
clinical care and the origins of their disease can be investigated, as they
now can here. But sadly, this just is not happening in the UK . . . The
situation in the UK is so entrenched and hostile - despite the fact that our
findings have been confirmed in other quarters recently. However, the
Government is determined not to let any aspect of findings in relation to
this matter move forward."

FIRST AUTISM-VACCINE LINK:
HOW HANNAH MADE HISTORY
By Alison Young, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 03/06/08
In a move autism family advocates call unprecedented, federal health officials
have concluded that childhood vaccines contributed to symptoms of the disorder
in a 9-year-old Georgia girl.

Phil and Misty
Hiatt: "We Were Compensated Too!"
"What this means is that for almost 20 years the government has had the evidence
that vaccines cause autism and they have buried it and lied to the public. For two decades
doctors have been denied the information
they needed to make responsible health decisions for their patients."

Parents and advocacy
groups call inquiry against Dr. Andrew Wakefield a “witch hunt”
Parents and advocacy groups around the globe are asking England’s General Medical Council
(GMC) to cancel the “fitness to practice” inquiry that begins today against Dr.
Andy Wakefield, and Professors Walker-Smith and Murch. Advocates say the GMC
should instead be asking why so many kids are sick, especially in light of an
apparently suppressed analysis showing that autism rates in England are as
high as 1 in 58. The medical establishment is being criticized for doing
little to find the cause, treat the kids, or prevent new cases.

WCAP
Reading RoomLinks to many more
articles, websites and online papers on a vast array of subjects.

WCAP'The goal of any program must
be to improve their chances of fulfilling their true potential. We believe
that improving their lives will improve the lives of all of us at the family,
academic and community level. As the argument ‘Nature vs. Nurture’ continues
we hold with the inevitable truth that it is a little of both.'

'The
Desorgher Methodis a
holistic approach to bringing about emotional, spiritual, mental and physical
well-being in people suffering under the condition of autism. It grew out of
the Professional Parenting model known as ‘the Magic of the Family’, and has
been most successfully used for those exhibiting the stresses and conflicts
of adapting to a world where their condition is poorly understood and their
survival has depended on developing coping strategies which have come to be
labelled as ‘problem behaviors’. It can be adapted for uses in many settings
and for a wide range of problems and age groups, wherever struggle and
survival strategies are standing in the way of relationship, growth,
fulfilment, health and happiness.'

'Model
of Excellence' Community modelsIt is clear
that present practices are failing to address the consistent pattern of
family crisis and breakdown that inevitably leads to institutionalization and
an enormous burden on the community. We have also seen how, with adequate and
co-ordinated support, education and services at a local level, including
proper respite services, foster-care programs, a range of therapeutic and
vocational training programs, an autism-aware medical community and properly
funded and organised family support networks, these crises can be averted,
families can stay together, and integration into the mainstream of community
life becomes more likely.

'The
communities we envision include centers offering short- and medium-term therapeutic
transition programs. The aim is not to remove the children from home and put
them in boarding schools, but to provide a release from the environments of
school and home that are leading to frustration and anger. The release can be
for a few days to a few months, but the goal is to transition into a new
situation where the child is on the way to becoming a young adult, with some
independence, experience of the world, emotional maturity, better social
skills and awareness of self. The centers would offer dietary, behavioral and
educational programs, practical skills development, social skills training,
crafts, outward-bound expeditions, sports and leisure activities.'

Autism: Dietary Treatment Options
by Max and Sandra DesorgherFrom: Positive Health magazine, October 2000extract: 'At the time when autism was first
described by Dr Leo Kanner and thus given an identity, there was little
debate as to the field of medicine which would be called upon to develop
expertise and treatments for this 'rare psychological condition'. Under the
psychological paradigm, advances have not been forthcoming. Physicians,
researchers and specialists, often driven by personal agendas, have sometimes
made ‘findings’ which are called ‘pieces of the puzzle’ by the autism
community. These pieces do not always seem to fit together or even belong to
the same puzzle. In our theory, a single cause, these pieces do fit together.
In our theory autism is not a psychological condition – it is a
neuro-gastro-immunological disorder resulting from an immunogenetic error
during fetal development. At the time when the immune system is developing,
the first immune cells must select a non-self substance which has crossed the
placental barrier and react to this non-self substance in order for the
immune system to proliferate. In the developing fetus there is no apparent
function for a substance called lutein, a pigment which is used by the human
at birth to protect the eyes from ultraviolet light. The immune system is
developing just after neural tube closure which has been the time of
reference given by some research that corresponds to brain imaging
differences that are identified in autists. However, the slightly earlier
‘neural tube closure’ time frame would likely correlate to a population with
co-occurring spina bifida – no such correlation exists. An immune system
which identifies lutein as the non-self substance would result in a
correlation to Retinopathy of Prematurity - this correlation does exist. An
immune system reaction of this type would result in a correlation to a
disturbance in pterin metabolism - this correlation does exist, and it would
result in a correlation to mitochondrial disturbance and again this
correlation does exist.'

Describes in detail how vaccination
altered human immunity, and the consequences for all our lives. As this
altered immunity is passed on, each generation makes new immunogenetic
adaptations in an attempt to protect the developing fetus and which can be
seen in the host of new immunological disorders emerging in each new
generation. One of these adaptations is called autism.

"Africa, as the news media never tires of telling us, has become ground zero of the AIDS epidemic.
The clinical definition of AIDS in Africa, however, is stunningly broad and generic, and was seemingly designed
to be little other than a signal for funding. It is in no way comparable to Western definitions. The “Bangui
definition” of AIDS was established in the city of Bangui in the Central African Republic, at a conference
in 1985. The definition requires neither a positive HIV test nor a low T-cell count, as in the West, but
only the presence of chronic diarrhea, fever, significant weight loss, and asthenia, as well as other
minor symptoms. These happen to be the symptoms of chronic malnutrition, malaria, parasitic infections,
and other common African illnesses. (In 1994 the definition was updated to suggest the use of HIV tests,
but in practice they are prohibitively expensive.) Even when HIV tests are performed, many diseases that
are endemic to Africa, such as malaria and TB, are known to cause false positives. The statistical picture
of AIDS in Africa, consequently, is a communal projection based on very rough estimates of HIV positives,
culled from select and small samples, which are extrapolated across the continent using computer models
and highly questionable assumptions.

World Community Autism Program was
founded in 2002 with the principal aim of redefining autism as a treatable
condition, and to develop the program that can bring about improvement and
recovery and allow these children to reach their full potential. We have
stated many times, that the biological markers that are consistent in this
population are measurable and it should be possible to develop a screening
program to identify autism as a biological condition, and armed with that
knowledge, to give parents the choice not to vaccinate, and to implement
dietary and other programs that are known to produce the best outcome for
these children. As well as biological markers, a family background of certain
‘autoimmune’ diseases, metabolic disorders and genetic and chromosomal
differences and early signs of feeding disorder, movement disorder, visual
disturbance should alert care-givers to a higher risk of the development of
autism and the need to screen.

Reading
RoomLinks to many more
articles, websites and online papers on a vast array of subjects.

The
Girl With a Boy's BrainKiriana Cowansage can run complex neuroscience experiments and sketch beautiful
portraits. She melts at the sight of an animal, but she balks at the concept
of love. Such paradoxes define women with Asperger's syndrome. from:Psychology Today

Knowing is
Beautiful by Liam Scheff
"As a journalist who writes about AIDS, I am endlessly amazed by the
difference between the public and the private face of HIV; between what the
public is told and what’s explained in the medical literature."

http://www.autismrecovery.com/index.html'We
developed this web site to share our knowledge and experience of autism
recovery and to help and encourage others in the pursuit of rehabilitation.'
Michelle Cheneyhttp://www.taap.info/cytokine%20paper.pdf
Spontaneous Mucosal Lymphocyte Cytokine Profiles in Children with Autism and
Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Mucosal Immune Activation and Reduced Counter
Regulatory Interleukin-10
by PAUL ASHWOOD, ANDREW ANTHONY, FRANCO TORRENTE, and ANDREW J. WAKEFIELD
Journal of Clinical Immunology, Vol. 24, No. 6, November 2004 This study tested the
hypothesis that dysregulated intestinal mucosal immunity with enhanced
proinflammatory
cytokine production is present in ASD children.

http://www.altheal.org/toxicity/house.htmIn New York’s Washington Heights is a 4-story brick
building called Incarnation Children’s Center (ICC). This former
convent houses a revolving stable of children who’ve been removed from their
own homes by the Agency for Child Services. These children are black,
Hispanic and poor. Many of their mothers had a history of drug abuse and have
died. Once taken into ICC, the children become subjects of drug trials.

ADHD
and food dyes
'When they reacted to the (food) dye, the younger children had constant
crying, tantrums, irritability, restlessness, severe sleep disturbance, and
were described as 'out-of-control, easily distracted and excited, and high as
a kite.'

http://www.cnsfoundation.org/newsletter/newsletter_02/newsletter_04.htmlAlbino zebrafish offer a model for some inherited
forms of mental retardation in humans, according to a team of geneticists
from Singapore. Aside from faulty pigmentation and impaired vision, the fish
also appear to lack an enzyme co-factor linked to severe damage of the
central nervous system, they report.